Page 84 - The Drivers Guide 2019

The Driver's Guide
KILDARE
One of the first county’s you will encounter on your journey from Dublin, Kildare has a varied range of attractions, many of them on international renown, but others which are not on the regular tourist radar. Take some time to explore more of what this historic county has to offer, and make sure to spend some time by its majestic rivers and canals.
MOONE HIGH CROSS
VILLAGE OF MOONE, COUNTY KILDARE
The small village of Moone in County Kildare has one of Ireland’s true historic treasures, the Moone High Cross. This remarkable piece of early medieval artistic craftsmanship is believed to date from around the 8–9th century. It is sculpted from granite, and it is carved in a truly unique style. At over 5 metres tall, it is the second-tallest in Ireland.
www.megalithicireland.com
OLD KILCULLEN ROUND TOWER AND
HIGH CROSS
JN 2 (R448) TOWARDS ATHY 7 minutes from exit
A spectacular site located on top of a small hill with great views of the surrounding countryside including the massive hill-fort, Dun Ailinne, once the seat of the Kings of Leinster. Believed to be founded in AD 448, it was plundered twice by Vikings in 936 and 944.
From its fifth-century origins the site grew into a walled town during the Norman period. At this time there were defensive walls, seven towers and a castle, none of which survives. With the erection of a bridge over the River Liffey nearby in 1319, a town sprung up which is today Kilcullen.
When this town started to develop Old Kilcullen went into a steady decline. The present remains include small portions of a Romanesque church, two high-cross shafts and a round tower. The round tower now stands at a height of 11m and dates back to the 11th century. The two high-crosses are ornate but incomplete due to the ravages of time, while the base to another sits in the graveyard.
ATHY HERITAGE CENTRE AND MUSEUM
JN 3 (N78) TOWARDS ATHY
10 min from exit
Located in the former 18th century Market House (now Athy Town Hall), Athy Heritage Centre-Museum brings the history of Athy to life, from its Anglo Norman foundation, through the 1903 Gordon Bennett Race, to the Athy men in World War 1 and the story of local Polar explorer Ernest Shackleton.
WOODSTOCK CASTLE
AND PARK
JN 3 (N78) TOWARDS ATHY 10 min from exit
Woodstock Castle was built in the 13th century, and was the first building in what is now the town of Athy. As result of hostility from the Irish, the Anglo Norman settlers were forced to relocate to the more easily defended east bank of the Barrow. The castle was modified many times over the course of its existence and ruins exist to this day.
MOONE HIGH CROSS
JN 3 (N78) TOWARDS MOONE 5 min from exit
Believed to date from the eight century, The Moone Cross, in County Kildare, is one of the best preserved High Crosses in Ireland. Standing at 5.4 metres tall, it is decorated with Celtic patterns and biblical carvings.
CASTLEDERMOT ROUND TOWER
JN 4 (R448) TOWARDS CASTLEDERMOT
4 min from exit
Today St James’ Church stands at the site of St Dermot’s Church. This ancient church at Castledermot was formerly known as Díseart Diarmada, meaning Dermot’s hermitage. Within its grounds are the remains of a Romanesque doorway, a round tower, two high crosses, a holed stone and a hogback grave or sarcophagus. St Dermot founded the church here around 800.
In 841 the site was plundered by the Vikings, and in the following year it is recorded that Cumsudh and Moinach, both bishops and anchorites of Castledermot, died in the same night. Its existence continued here at least
until the 12th century. All that is left today is a splendidly preserved and picturesque round tower.
CASTLEDERMOT FRANCISCAN FRIARY
JN 4 (R448) TOWARDS CASTLEDERMOT
4 min from exit
The Franciscan friary of Castledermot was founded sometime before 1247, when it received a royal grant of 15 marks from John Fitzgeoffrey, Justiciar of Ireland. It is believed that in the early 14th century, a side-aisle and transept were added to the 13th century nave and choir.
The remains of Castledermot Franciscan friary represent an impressive testimony to 13th and 14th century Irish Gothic architecture. They consist of the friary church, with its northern aisle and transept.
In most Irish friaries, towers were built between choir and nave. An unusual feature here is that the tower was placed directly to the south of the choir, most likely for defensive purposes, as the friary appears to have been located close to the town wall.
CARLOW
Carlow is Ireland’s second smallest county and the town of the same name, was an Anglo-Norman stronghold guarding the River Barrow. Its positioning on the edges of the English Pale, the protected region surrounding Dublin, gave it a significant role in Irish history.
During the 1798 rebellion 600 rebels were massacred here while attempting to take the town. The Liberty Tree sculpture off Hanover Street commemorates this event.
CARLOW COUNTY MUSEUM
JN 5 (N80) TOWARDS CARLOW TOWN
10 min from exit
Carlow County Museum is a popular tourist attraction and valuable historical resource in Carlow Town’s Cultural Quarter. A range of displays and exhibitions offer visitors a fascinating insight to the heritage of the local area.
82 IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST